Retractor with improved light source, and light source for an improved retractor

Abstract

The invention provides a retractor having a lighting module which is removeably attached to a paddle of the retractor. The retractor is able to provide improved illumination of a workspace within the body by attaching the light source directly to the paddle. As the light source is removeable from the paddle, it enables the light source to be removed after use and discarded while the retractor can be re-used. Furthermore, as the light source is removeably attached at a distal end of the paddle, the illumination is provided closest to the workspace, regardless of the length of the paddle.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A retractor comprising:
 at least one paddle; and 
 at least one light source, wherein the at least one light source is removeably attached to the at least one paddle, the light source comprising:
 a lighting module having a first housing portion, a second housing portion attached to the first housing portion, and one or more LEDs located between the first housing portion the second housing portion, the first housing portion comprising:
 a first section and a second section wherein the first section has a thickness that is greater than that of the second section and the first section is aligned with the location of the one or more LEDs to form a light exit surface at the interface between the first section and second section. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source is removeably attached to or towards a distal end of the paddle. 
     
     
       3. The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one paddle is longer than the at least one light source. 
     
     
       4. The retractor of  claim 1 , comprising a single paddle and a single light source removeably attached to the paddle. 
     
     
       5. The retractor of  claim 4 , wherein the retractor is of the Farabeuf type. 
     
     
       6. The retractor of  claim 1 , comprising two paddles arranged at the ends of corresponding arms mechanically connected by a pivot which permits the retractor to be moved between a closed and an open position, wherein a light source is removeably attached to a distal end of each paddle. 
     
     
       7. The retractor of  claim 6 , wherein the retractor is of the Williams type. 
     
     
       8. The retractor of  claim 1 , comprising a retention feature by which the at least one light source is removeably attached to the at least one paddle. 
     
     
       9. The retractor of  claim 8 , wherein the retention feature comprises a male runner and a female runner which receives the male runner. 
     
     
       10. The retractor of  claim 9 , wherein the male runner is disposed on the light source and the female runner is disposed on the paddle. 
     
     
       11. The retractor of  claim 9 , wherein the male runner comprises an end face which abuts a corresponding end face of the female runner. 
     
     
       12. The retractor of  claim 8 , wherein the retention feature comprises one or more male pips and one or more female slots which receive the one or more male pips. 
     
     
       13. The retractor of  claim 8 , wherein the retention feature comprises a recess in the paddle which receives the light source. 
     
     
       14. The retractor of  claim 8 , wherein the retention feature comprises one or more of studs, corresponding ridges and channels, and plugs and sockets. 
     
     
       15. The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the second housing portion is welded to the first housing portion so as to form a hermetic seal. 
     
     
       16. The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the LEDs are side-emitting LEDs. 
     
     
       17. The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the first housing portion is configured, arranged or adapted to function as a waveguide which receives light from the one or more LEDs. 
     
     
       18. The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the first housing portion comprises a diffusing surface which enables the first housing portion to function as a light guide panel. 
     
     
       19. The retractor of  claim 18 , wherein the diffusing surface comprises etching, moulding or printing on an internal face of the first housing portion. 
     
     
       20. The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the first housing portion comprises recesses which receive the one or more LEDs to enable coupling of light into the first housing portion. 
     
     
       21. The retractor of  claim 1 , wherein the lighting module comprises a switch configured to selectively provide electrical power to the one or more LEDs. 
     
     
       22. The retractor of  claim 21 , wherein the switch comprises a press switch actuable via the first housing portion. 
     
     
       23. The retractor of  claim 22 , wherein the first housing portion comprises a dome feature aligned with the switch which actuates the switch when depressed. 
     
     
       24. The retractor of  claim 21 , wherein the switch is configured to actuate automatically when the lighting module is attached to the paddle. 
     
     
       25. The retractor of  claim 24 , wherein the switch is located on a surface of the lighting module which contacts a corresponding surface of the paddle. 
     
     
       26. The retractor of  claim 1 , comprising two paddles arranged at the ends of corresponding arms mechanically connected by a pivot which permits the retractor to be moved between a closed and an open position by handles opposing the paddles, a light source removeably attached to a distal end of each paddle by means of a retention feature comprising a male runner disposed on the light source and a corresponding female runner disposed on the paddle which receives the male runner, each light source comprising one or more side-emitting LEDs and a waveguide arranged and/or adapted to provide diffuse illumination of a workspace between the paddles. 
     
     
       27. A retractor light source, wherein the retractor light source comprises:
 a lighting module having a first housing portion, a second housing portion attached to the first housing portion, and one or more LEDs located between the first housing portion and the second housing portion, the first housing portion comprising:
 a first section and a second section wherein the first section has a thickness that is greater than that of the second section and the first section is aligned with the location of the one or more LEDs to form a light exit surface and the interface between the first section and the second section; 
 
 wherein the retractor light source is removeably attachable to a distal end of a blade of a retractor. 
 
     
     
       28. A kit of parts comprising at least one retractor comprising at least one paddle adapted, arranged or configured to receive a light source at a distal end, and at least one light source adapted as claimed in  claim 27 . 
     
     
       29. The kit of parts of  claim 28  wherein the at least one light source is arranged or configured for removeable attachment to the distal end of the paddle of the at least one retractor. 
     
     
       30. The kit of parts of  claim 29 , comprising a plurality of retractors and a plurality of light sources.